Have a look at the Bandolier web site - there is no justification for
this form of well-person screening. The quote sounds like an
advertisement from a provider. Some of these activities are provided
anyway via primary care of local health promotion units. Condoning it
gives an erroneous impression of what OH is all about - creates an
impression that it is a weak and waffly staff welfare measure - like
organising new carpets in the staff canteen - that can be easily dropped
when times are hard.
If faced with a recalcitrant employer, one way round the problem would
be to say "there is no justification for this on grounds of health gain.
It is not cost-effective. I will not fund it via the OH budget, nor
will I staff it. The alternative of providing (eg) staff development
seminars on productive working and stress reduction, gym facilities, or
healthy eating in the staff canteen should be considered. If
introduced, it should be on a pilot basis and carefully evaluated before
continuation is considered. If introduced, it should be funded from a
non-OH budget (staff development, staff welfare, health promotion, HR
etc etc). I am prepared to offer the OHS premises out of hours and will
oversee the recruitment of the staff to do it, the quality standards,
the content of the medicals, and the audit of the scheme".
Hope this is helpful - Kate
>>> [log in to unmask] 29/01/04 16:05:18 >>>
Looks like no-one else is having a go...probably reflects the esteem
in
which these medicals are held..
In Occupational Health (Pocket Consultant) Harrington et al it states
"....executive medical examinations are of questionable value. They
are
costly to perform, with a low detection rate of significant clinical
abnormalities. It has also been argued that, if there is clinical value
in
such periodic assessments, they should be made available to other
categories
of staff."
However there is a good article in Occupational Health magazine August
2003
Vol 55 no 8 p13-15 of a project at Unilever .it takes the premise that
most
executives do not have a great deal wrong with them medically, and
instead
"gives them tools to be more productive, sleep better, be more alert,
have
more stamina and to deal with stress and pressure more effectively"
(Where do I sign up?!)
Hope this helps,
Diane
----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret Mercer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 2:11 PM
Subject: executive health screening
> Hello everyone,
> I am researching the provision of executive health screening and
would be
> grateful for comments/opinions on this subject. What do you think
should
> be in an executive health screening programme? Do you have good
and/or
> bad experiences that I can learn from? How far from the traditional
> medical (Questionnaires, tests and med exam) towards the promotion
of
> physical and mental fitness and vitality should one venture? What
works
> and what does not work? All ideas welcome
> Apologies for any cross posting.
> Best wishes
> Margaret
>
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